Forever

This morning I woke up with a determination to have a day on program.  To eat when I'm hungry - and without distractions, to stop when I'm satisfied, and to make healthy choices.

I packed my breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the day.  I even grabbed my running gear so that I could run at lunch.

After getting to the office, I worked until I got hungry.  Then, I went into our lunchroom and made myself a healthy version of an Egg McMuffin (toasted double fiber whole wheat english muffin, one microwaved egg, a few sprays of fake butter, and a sliver of gouda cheese).  It's a go-to breakfast for me - one of many.  If I ever find myself off track (which I haven't really been), then a go-to breakfast gets me right back on track.

I knew it would taste good.  I knew that the fiber would be good for me, that the egg would give me enough protein to stave off hunger, and that the cheese would be tasty.

But then, in walks one of our sales representatives with a box full of fresh baked pastries from Panera.  Chocolate chip muffins, cheese danishes, gooey pecan rolls, and other morsels of tasty goodness.  And suddenly, my healthy eating plan (POOF) was gone.

All I could think about was eating something in that box. 

I ended up getting involved in a long conversation with the sales rep - during which I ate my breakfast.  I thought that maybe my desire for the baked goods was because I was hungry.

Nope.  Because when I was done, I still wanted something from that box.

"But you're not hungry!" I told myself.

"BUT I WANT IT!," my self told me.

And right then, I remembered the Peter Drucker quote.  I remembered Big Clyde and how he told me to "get in gear and make great choices today" (for some reason, I'm scared to break a promise to Andre the Giant). 

So instead, even though I WANTED that cheese danish (and HOO BOY how I wanted it), I walked out of the room.

And that's when it occurred to me - all over again - in order for me to be successful on my journey, I have to be WILLING to turn down those kinds of temptations again and again.  

Being healthy is a goal that has no end. 

Having a healthy relationship with food is something you either have or you don't.  And since I want that healthy relationship with food, I need to be willing to make the tough decision every day, every week, every year.

Forever.